Texans lock up LB Ryans with 6-year, $48M deal

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Linebacker DeMeco Ryans has topped 85 tackles in all four seasons with the Texans.

Linebacker DeMeco Ryans has topped 85 tackles in all four seasons with the Texans.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Chronicle

Texans lock up LB Ryans with 6-year, $48M deal

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Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans was so excited Tuesday he sounded as if the Texans had made the playoffs.And no wonder. He had just signed a six-year contract worth $48 million, including $21.75 million guaranteed.

“This is unbelievable,” Ryans said. “I still can't believe it.

“I hope this can set an example for young players that hard work and patience can pay off.”

Ryans gets $14.5 million this year. That includes a $7.5 million signing bonus and a $7 million base salary that's guaranteed against skill and injury.

In the first three years of his contract, he'll earn at least $26.3 million, which could increase to $26.9 million if he earns a $200,000 Pro Bowl bonus each season.

“I think this is a huge move for the Texans to step up and get this deal done,” said Dogra, who also represents defensive end Mario Williams. “This sends a strong message about the Texans' commitment to winning and their intentions of having their core players in place. They deserve a lot of credit.”

Last year, Ryans was going to miss the offseason program because he failed to get a contract he wanted. He switched agents and hired Dogra, who suggested Ryans report and to let him work with Smith to get a new deal done.

“I want to thank Mr. (Bob) McNair and Rick Smith for believing in me,” Ryans said. “They didn't have to do this. I want to thank my teammates, too. I'm so appreciative of everything.

“You know, with me being a restricted free agent and a possible lockout coming (2011), they didn't have to do this, but they really stepped up for me.”

Ryans was tendered the maximum and would have been a fifth-year restricted free agent making $3.168 million next season.

“Last year, I put everything behind me when we didn't get a deal done because I wanted to focus on football,” Ryans said. “I thought I had my best season. All that hard work I put into it has definitely paid off.”

Ryans, who turns 26 in July, is the Texans' defensive captain who has been a starter since the first game of his rookie year in 2006 when he was a second-round pick behind Williams.

Last season, when the Texans finished with a team-best 9-7 record, Ryans had 123 tackles, including 93 unassisted. He played a key role in the development of strong-side linebacker Brian Cushing, who was voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.